Chihuahua Clothes and Accessories at The Chihuahua Wardrobe!

Welcome to Chihuahua Wardrobe, the world’s #1 site dedicated to Chihuahua clothes and accessories!

Want to dress your Chihuahua like a rock star? You’ve come to the right place.

We connect you to one of the largest selections of Chihuahua clothes and accessories. Your Chihuahua gives you unconditional love and companionship, so why not return the favor with some stylish new threads? Whether you’re searching for a shirt, sweater, water-resistant jacket, hoodie, costume, collar, harness, footwear (yes, Chihuahuas can wear shoes) or other apparel, we’ve got you covered.

Click the “Shop” button at the top-right to start shopping.

A Little Bit About Chihuahua Wardrobe…

First launched in 2013, Chihuahua Wardrobe is a website for Chihuahua owners by Chihuahua owners. We know how difficult finding clothes for a small Chihuahua can be, which is why we created this site.

While we specialize in Chihuahua clothes, we also offer guides, articles, photos and other exclusive content on the breed. As owners ourselves, we know a thing or two about the breed. From potty training and teaching basic obedience, to vaccinations and managing common health problems, it’s a lot of work. We make the process a little easier by covering common topics such as these in our health, training, grooming and information sections.

Think you have the cutest Chihuahua on the block? If so, send us a picture and we will gladly upload it to our site so others can see!

10 Reasons Why Your Chihuahua Needs Clothes

There’s no denying the fact that Chihuahuas look cute when wearing clothes. However, there are other reasons why you should dress your Chihuahua…

1. Protects Against Insects: From fleas and ticks to mosquitoes and ants, Chihuahuas are frequently exposed to a variety of pests. Some of these pests are nothing more than a nuisance, but others can transmit serious and potentially fatal infectious diseases. A shirt or sweater can protect your furry four-legged companion against common pests such as these.
2. Promotes Socialization: Dressing your Chihuahua in clothes attracts attention when in public, which helps to socialize your pup and prevent behavioral problems like aggression later down the road.
3. Keeps Your Chihuahua Warm: Being the world’s smallest dog breed, Chihuahuas don’t tolerate cold climates as well as larger breeds. When a Chihuahua is exposed to sub-freezing temperatures, his body temperature may drop to dangerously low levels, a condition known as hypothermia. A warm shirt or sweater protects against hypothermia by slowing down the rate at which your Chihuahua loses heat.
4. Keeps your Chihuahua Dry: A raincoat will keep your Chihuahua dry in snowy or rainy weather, further protecting against hypothermia.
5. Minimizes Shedding: While there’s no way to stop your Chihuahua from shedding, dressing him in a shirt or sweater prevents loose hair from escaping his coat.
6. Protects Against Sunburn: Prolonged exposure to the hot mid-day sun can burn a Chihuahua’s skin, increasing the risk of skin cancer. You can protect your Chi from sunburn, however, by dressing him in a light shirt.
7. Protects Paws. You can protect your Chihuahua’s paws from sharp rocks, gravel, broken sticks, ice and debris with “paw wear.”
8. Chihuahuas are the Perfect Size: With an average weight of just 2 to 6 pounds, Chihuahuas are the perfect size for dressing in clothes. You can easily dress and undress your Chihuahua in just minutes.
9. Protects Against Skin Allergies. Clothes can protect your Chihuahua from skin allergies (contact dermatitis), a condition from which approximately 15% of all dogs suffer. By creating a barrier between your Chihuahua’s skin and the environment, allergens like pollen, mold and trace chemicals won’t reach him as easily.
10. More Photo Opportunities: You’ll probably take more photos when your Chihuahua is dressed in cute outfits, posting and sharing these moments with friends.

Choosing the Right Clothes for Your Chihuahua

Now that you know a little bit about why your Chihuahua needs clothes, you might be wondering which clothes to choose. From graphic shirts and fuzzy sweaters to ballerina-style “tutus” and funny costumes, the possibilities are endless. With so many options, though, how do you know which one is right for your precious Chi?

Purpose

For what reason are you buying Chihuahua clothes? If you want to keep your Chi warm throughout the winter season, perhaps a sweater or thick shirt will work. On the other hand, a lightweight shirt is recommended for the late spring and summer months. If you want to protect your Chihuahua from fleas or skin allergies, choose an article of clothing that covers most of his skin.

Material

Just like our clothes are made of different materials, so are our dog clothes. Clothes made of 100% cotton is an all-around great choice; it’s soft, comfortable, inexpensive, and easy to clean. Because of its water-absorbent properties, however, cotton isn’t the best option for your Chihuahua to wear in the rain or snow. Instead, consider clothes made of a water-resistant material like polyester or nylon.

Size

It’s important to choose the right size clothes for your Chihuahua. While holding the title of the world’s smallest dog, Chihuahuas vary in size. Teacups, for instance, often weigh just 1 to 2 pounds, while larger Chihuahuas weigh 6 or more pounds. There’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all dog clothes, so consider your Chihuahuas size — weight, length and height — when shopping for new clothes. Whether it’s a shirt, sweater or any other article of clothing, it should list the size range for which it was designed.

Function

Basic Chihuahua shirts and sweaters function just like the shirts and sweaters that we wear: you slide your Chihuahua’s front legs through each of the openings and he’s good to go! Others, however, have velcro straps, buttons or zippers.

Style

What style of clothes are you looking for? A single-colored shirt is always an option, but one of the great things about Chihuahua clothes is the countless number of styles from which to choose. One idea is to choose clothes that reflect your Chihuahua’s personality. If your Chihuahua has a ferocious personality, consider a graphic “Bad to the Bone” shirt. Or if you own a female Chihuahua, maybe a pink “Pampered Princess” shirt. Have some fun when choosing a style, and don’t be afraid to express your Chi’s unique personality through apparel.

Tips on Dressing Your Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are often frightened of unfamiliar objects, and clothes are no exception. When attempting to dress your Chi for the first time, he may pull away, shake or otherwise show signs of anxiety.

You can ease your Chihuahua’s anxiety of getting dressed by following these tips:

• Begin dressing your Chihuahua early, preferably while he’s still a puppy.
• Stick with simple clothes at first, avoiding complex garments with multiple latching mechanisms.
• After your Chihuahua wears a new garment of clothing for the first time, inspect his body for signs of chafing or irritation.
• Don’t tug or pull your Chihuahua’s legs when attempting to dress him.
• Reward your Chihuahua with a treat and affection both before and after getting him dressed.
• It may sound silly, but talking to your Chihuahua in a calm and soothing tone while dressing him can help ease his anxiety.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes that restrict your Chihuahua’s movement.
• Don’t force your Chihuahua to get dressed if he’s anxious.
• If an article of clothing prevents your Chihuahua from doing his business, remove it before taking him outside.

Chihuahua Accessories: What You Should Know

In addition to clothes, you should also consider buying accessories for your Chihuahua. A leash and collar (or harness), for instance, is a must-have combo for any Chihuahua. Even if your Chi is kept indoors, you’ll still need to take him outside to do his business. Allowing your Chihuahua to “roam free” outside without a restraint increases the risk of him running away.

A collar or harness also allows you to include an identification tag on your Chihuahua. If your Chi isn’t microchipped or “ID tattooed,” he’ll need an ID tag displaying his name, your name, address and your phone number. According to the National Council of Pet Population Study and Policy and the National Humane Society, roughly 1 in 3 pets will run away in their lifetime, but only 10% are ever reunited with their owner. Placing on your Chihuahua’s collar or harness increases the chances of a successful reunion if he’s ever lost or runs away.

If you plan on traveling with your Chihuahua, you should invest in a special carrier. Whether you’re going to the vet, pet store, or just running errands around town, you can bring along your Chi by placing him in a carrier. It provides a safe and secure environment, preventing him from jumping out.

A bed is another must-have accessory for Chihuahuas. While you can always create a soft bedding area using old blankets, dog beds are designed with an emphasis on ergonomics and comfort. Statistics show that up to 25% of all dogs will develop osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease (DJD). An orthopedic dog bed can ease the pain and discomfort associated with arthritic conditions such as these.

These are just a few of the top Chihuahua accessories.

A Brief Overview of the Chihuahua

• Full of personality and spunk
• The world’s smallest dog breed
• Make excellent watchdogs
• Few health problems compared to other breeds
• Average lifespan of 15 to 20 years
• Requires minimal grooming
• Weigh as little as 2½ to 5½ ounces when borne
• Two official varieties: long coat and smooth coat (initially, only long-coat Chihuahuas were recognized)
• Described as either apple head or deer head based on facial appearance
• The AKC only recognizes the apple head variety
• While not an official term, small Chihuahuas are often called “teacup”
• Clannish nature, preferring the company of other Chihuahuas
• Dozens of coat colors and color combinations recognized by the AKC
• Often born with a molera or “soft spot” in skull
• Love to burrow in blankets, bedding and clothes
• First recognized by the AKC in 1904
• The AKC revised the Chihuahua’s breed standards in 1934, 1954, 1972 and 1990
• Light shedders compared to other breeds, making them ideal for people who suffer from pet allergies
• Enjoy basking in warm spots, such as in front of a window, fireplace or heater

Chihuahua Background and Information

The Chihuahua is a small-framed dog with large erect ears and a terrier-like temperament that originated in Mexico. While the breed’s true origins remain a mystery, there’s strong evidence suggesting that it’s a descendant of a similar small-framed companion dog of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica called the Techichi. As we discuss in The History of the Chihuahua, archeological findings and DNA analyses link the modern-day Chihuahua to the Techichi.

Several civilizations, including the Maya, Toltec and Aztec, are believed to have domesticated the Techichi, keeping them for companionship and ceremonial rituals. They viewed the small dogs as being guardians of the afterlife, believing the Techichi would follow his respective owner into the afterlife when sacrificed. After landing in the New World, Spanish explorers wrote about the Techichi and how the native Aztecs fed and cared for the small dog.

While the Techichi is most likely the Chihuahua’s ancestor, other theories regarding the Chihuahua’s past suggest the breed is of Asian or European origin. Some believe the Chihuahua is a descendant of the Maltese pocket dog, which also shares the breed’s characteristic molera. A fresco painted by Sandro Botticelli in the Sistine Chapel depicts this small dog with striking Chihuahua-like characteristics.

Another theory is that Chinese explorers brought a small dog over to the Americas, and this small dog crossbred with the Techichi to make the modern-day Chihuahua. Alternatively, perhaps European explorers brought over a dog that was crossbred with the Techichi. All signs point to the Techichi being the Chihuahua’s likely ancestor, but we still don’t know the whole story.

Chihuahuas Enter the U.S.

Regardless of what happened in the past, we know that some of the earliest Chihuahuas were brought over to the U.S. in the late 1800s. American tourists visiting the border states encountered merchants selling Chihuahuas during this period, some of whom brought the pint-sized pups back to the U.S. With many Americans seeing the Chihuahua for the first time, the breed’s recognition steadily increased in the years to follow. In 1904, the first Chihuahua, aptly named Midget, was registered with the AKC. And just a few years later, the AKC had its first Chihuahua champion, Beppie.

In 1923, the Chihuahua Club of America (CCA), a nonprofit organization, was formed to promote the breed and educate breeders about common health problems. The CCA created the first standards for the breed during this same year.

By 1987, more than 21,000 Chihuahuas were registered with the AKC, roughly 15,000 of which competed in AKC conformation shows. However, the Chihuahua’s popularity in the U.S. exploded in the 1990s, thanks in part to a series of TV commercials featuring the breed.

If you’re familiar with the phrase “Yo quiero Taco Bell,” you probably know which company created these commercials: Taco Bell. To compete with other fast food restaurants in the “Burger Wars,” the Tex-Mex chain introduced a talking Chihuahua as its mascot. In 1997, Taco Bell aired its first TV commercial featuring its new mascot, Gidget. In the commercial, a fawn-colored deer-head Chihuahua spoke — using voice-over effects — the catchphrase “Yo quiero Taco Bell,” which is Spanish for “I want Taco Bell.” In the following years, Taco Bell released several other commercials featuring Gidget, including alternative catchphrases like “Drop the chalupa!” and “Viva Gorditas!”

Developed in partnership with the international advertising agency TBWA Worldwide, the commercial series was an instant hit, both for Taco Bell and the Chihuahua breed. These commercials, along with a newfound interest in toy dogs, catapulted the Chihuahua to #7 based on AKC registrations in 1999.

While the breed’s rankings declined in the years to follow, it remained in the top 20 for over a decade. Today, the Chihuahua consistently ranks as one of the most popular breeds in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, Mexico and many other countries.

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